Washburn district readies for school year: convocation, hires and bond projects near completion

District administrators told the Washburn Board of Education on Monday that preparations for the new school year are on track, with staff convocation and classroom set-up scheduled this week and next. An administrator said kindergarten roundup events have taken place "and that was a lot of fun for the teachers as well as those students." The district will hold all-staff convocation at Washburn Rural High School the morning before classes start and said board members were invited to attend and greet staff. Human-resources staff reported hiring progress: "We've hired for every position that we needed. We have 70 new folks coming to us on the certified side and on the classified side," said Chelsea, who spoke for the HR team. She said onboarding is under way and that recent wage increases had helped recruitment. Administrators said gaps that remain are typical at this stage and can be managed before students arrive. Administrators also updated the board about bond construction and capital projects. District staff said crews have finished cleaning in areas not under active construction and are coordinating with contractors to "button up" spaces where work remains. The district listed Farley, Jay Shidler, the new middle school and Indian Hills as sites with ongoing work. "Places that had construction will be looking great before students get in," a facilities leader said, noting new sidewalks, parking reconfigurations and freshly striped lots. The administration also reported concrete pads poured for bike racks and additional crosswalks and signage being installed near school entrances. Transportation staff said they are continuing to recruit bus drivers and crossing guards; administrators said some employees have volunteered for crossing-guard shifts. Administrators described teacher professional learning plans in early August, including two days of PLC (professional learning community) work and elementary and secondary ELA resource training on August 5. Optional launch-week activities will be offered August 8 and 11. Administrators said resource orders and digital materials remain on track for the start of the school year. The board did not take formal votes on these operational items; staff said they would report further developments as contractors finish scheduled work and as transportation routing is finalized.